Fueling Relational Energy? Proposing Psycap and Humor as Potential Antescendents

Abstract

This study investigates relational energy within work context from the angle of potential ways to increase it and its associated benefits. Starting from two main streams of positivity at work, POS and POB, and based upon interaction ritual theory, social contagion theory, and conservation of resources theory, this work proposes PsyCap and humor as two prospective means of achieving this goal. In other words, it argues PsyCap and positive humor can positively impact the relational energy between an individual’s supervisors, followers, or coworker and herself, which in turn, can have various benefits for organizational members’ wellbeing and performance, including during the COVID-19 setbacks.